Why is Malaysia’s Chinese Population Leaving in Droves?

In 1957, ethnically Chinese Malaysians, comprising of Malaysian citizens who trace their ancestry back to China and recent Chinese immigrants who have become citizens, made up almost 38% of the country’s total population. Today, that number has decreased to just 23%, as more than two million have decided to leave the country over 50 years. By simply looking at statistics, it is difficult to understand why so many are willing to leave the familiarity of their home country where they are socioeconomically in the best position out of any major ethnic group. The Chinese population have the lowest poverty rate (0.1%), the highest average income, and control over 70% of all commercial real estate in the country.

Despite these statistics, many have emigrated from the country due to a sense of discrimination from the majority Malay (Bumiputera) population in education, political representation, and career opportunities, as the government’s affirmative action programs benefit native Malays at the expense of other ethnicities. Settling in Singapore, Australia, and many other English-speaking countries, the Chinese-Malaysian diaspora find themselves with the skills to assimilate quickly into their new homes and have little reason to return to their country of origin.

A History of Chinese Immigration to Malaysia

The first wave of significant Chinese migration occurred in the 10th century, with much larger groups arriving in the 15th and 17th centuries as a result of friendly relations between the rulers of China and the Sultanate of Malacca, which controlled large parts of modern Malaysia. These early settlers were known as Peranakans, and over the centuries have developed a unique hybrid culture, whereby they speak Malay while maintaining aspects of their Chinese heritage.

Aspects of Chinese culture can be seen all over Malaysia, such as this house in Malacca. https://flic.kr/p/dNtVq3

During the 19th and 20th centuries, an even larger second wave of Chinese arrived in British Malaya, mainly to work in tin mines or on rubber plantations. This group forms the bulk of the Chinese-Malaysian population today, and their influence can be seen with the large number of Chinese language schools, temples, and cultural festivals present across the country, most of which were set up during their arrival. Despite their common state of origin, Chinese immigrants come from various provinces, which have resulted in the many different Chinese dialects spoken in Malaysia today.

Although they have been able to largely retain their language and culture, Chinese-Malaysians feel little connection to China. The vast majority of ethnically Chinese Malaysians have never stepped foot in their ancestral homeland. In addition, because they are required to pass a proficiency test to graduate secondary school, the ethnic Chinese are able to speak Malay and integrate themselves within the broader Malaysian society.

Factors for Leaving

For the scores of Chinese who immigrated over the centuries, Malaysia was seen as a land of opportunity. They were often able to leave behind a life of poverty in rural areas of China to find steady employment and flexible social mobility. Up until the 1950s, the relations between the Chinese and other ethnic groups were relatively friendly. With all ethnicities perceived to be treated equally under British colonial rule, interethnic exchanges became commonplace.

However, soon after independence from Britain in 1957, racial tensions between ethnic Malays and Chinese-Malays increased dramatically. The Chinese, who largely settled in urban areas, had dominated the business sector and amassed large amounts of wealth. Meanwhile, Malays mostly lived in rural areas, and many lived in poverty. This tension eventually led to the race riots of 1969, where at least 200 people died in the ensuing violence.

After the race riots, the Malaysian government pushed approaches that would favour ethnic Malays, such as the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP). The NEP’s official objective was to eliminate poverty amongst Malays and alleviate racial tensions by making the wealth of each ethnic group proportional to their total population. Under the new system, ethnic Malays would be given 70% of all university places, and schools that teach in the Malay language were given preferential status in subsidies. In addition, Chinese-medium secondary schools were required to teach in Malay in order to maintain their funding. This resulted in dozens of secondary schools refusing state financial support by establishing themselves as private, independent high schools. Other quotas outlined in this policy include entry into public administration and scholarships.

The implementation of these quotas eliminated the meritocracy that was present during British colonial rule and is the main source controversy today, as it makes it more difficult for other ethnic groups to find jobs which require tertiary education. Yet, the New Economic Policy dealt with more than just quotas. With regards to housing, the Bumiputera were given a minimum 7% discount on all new housing for a period of time, during which a certain portion of all housing must be sold to them. While such practices have increased the proportion of wealth owned by Malays and reduced poverty, the perceived unfairness of the policy has resulted in a greater racial divide, as Malays argue that the Chinese should be grateful for their strong economic position whereas the Chinese believe that they are treated as second-class citizens.

Kuala Lumpur, much like the rest of Malaysia, is a cosmopolitan mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. https://flic.kr/p/dAaEoi

Another major point of contention for the Chinese minority is governmental and political representation. Despite making up almost a quarter of the population, in 2010 only 5.8% of Malay’s civil service was ethnically Chinese. Many Chinese feel that their interests are not being represented by the Malaysian Chinese Association, one of the parties that form the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has maintained rule since 1969. Instead, Chinese Malaysians are increasingly supportive of the opposition Democratic Action party, which advocates for secularism and equality for all ethnicities in Malaysia.

A Life Abroad

Due to the privileged position of the Malay population, as well as the lack of education and career prospects, many Chinese-Malaysians have already emigrated, with more following suit every year. The majority choose to settle in Singapore, as it is culturally and geographically the closest to Malaysia, with a majority ethnically Chinese population. Anglophone countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom are also popular choices, as Chinese-Malaysians are generally fluent in English and are familiar with Anglophone culture. This, combined with the fact that many potential emigrants are young and well educated, means that they are able to quickly find a steady job and assimilate into other societies.

This significant emigration has effects on the entire state, and in turn all Malaysians, as well. With so many well educated middle and upper-class Chinese Malaysians leaving, it has become more difficult for Malaysian businesses to hire qualified professionals in all sectors, preventing them from operating more efficiently. This has far-ranging consequences, from slower growth of GDP to higher unemployment rates overall. The Malaysian government has recognized this and has set up a “Returning Expert Programme”, hoping to attract emigrants into coming back to Malaysia. So far, it has not been successful. In 2016, only 398 individuals agreed to return home.

For younger Peranakans, it has been difficult to maintain their culture, as the ethnic divide pressures them to assimilate with mainstream Chinese culture. https://flic.kr/p/eUzVdj

At the current rate of emigration, it is estimated that the Chinese population will drop to 19.4% by 2050. However, some of the consequences can already be seen. The Peranakans, who had been able to maintain their culture for centuries, are suddenly seeing it disappear. The younger generation, who are more caught up amidst racial tensions and lack exposure to the ancestral culture brought about by the second wave of Chinese immigrants, are beginning to assimilate themselves back into mainstream Chinese culture.

Chinese Malaysians are an integral part of Malaysia. They play a massive role in the development of the nation and have contributed to almost every aspect of Malaysian culture. To simply sweep them under the rug with discriminatory practices will only continue their exodus from their homeland. Indeed, the gradual loss of these people may very well lead to the loss of its incredible diversity, one of many things that makes Malaysia so unique.

Edited by Alec Regino

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

3 Comments

Yi
February 12, 2018

“However, soon after independence from Britain in 1957, racial tensions between ethnic Malays and Chinese-Malays increased dramatically.”
This was by design… the British were so afraid of the communist left that they banned left wing political parties but allowed race based parties… divide and conquer.

“Discriminatory practices” is an understatement.. some ppl claim it to be apartheid

Well certainly Britain had a tactic of divide and conquer as a colonial policy, it doesn’t make sense to me that they would use it after Malaysia has achieved independence, as the responsibility of governing had already been given to the Malaysians.

With regards to the second part of your comment, I think the term apartheid goes too far in describing the conditions in Malaysia – The Bumiputeras certainly were favoured over other ethnic groups under the New Economic Policy, but the extreme stratification and segregation that was present in South African apartheid was not present in Malaysia. For example, there was no segregation of public facilities, such as swimming pools, hospitals, etc. For these reasons, I chose to use the term “discriminatory practices”.

Reading your reply made me realise I should rephrase. I didnt mean that the Brits had intended to use divide and conquer after 1957. By design i meant that they intentionally used it while they were in town and knowingly did nothing when they left partly because one of the reasons was to divide and conquer the other was communism. The British War against Communism in Malaya was from 1948 to 1960. The race based politics was a left over from colonial rule used to combat communism, not so much “using it” after granting malaysia independence. One of the factors independence was granted to the current ruling coalition was that they were fiercely anti communists. There was little left-right political discourse as the Brits encouraged the raced based sectarian communal style as one of their methods to counter communism. Slightly too left for the liking of the rulers and you will be arrested. These all worked while they were in power as they had politics of the land divided by racial issues when the ultimate masters were them, white. But when the white man leaves… the raced based politics didnt leave with him and we have no colonial master to keep all races in check. It was a flawed policy for us in the long term (but i concede it suited them then though). It has now been ingrained into the fabric of the malaysian constitution (metaphorically).

I also think apartheid is a bit too far hence i did say “some ppl” bcoz I myself dont really think that. However I do feel discriminatory practices are bit weak. Its law not practice. The laws are overtly discriminatory. Which leads to the practice in many cases having effects of segregation. Discriminatory practice is like the LAPD profiling black ppl but they dont have laws saying to target blacks. When you have laws saying only one race can buy properties in this area (the concept of Malay Reserve Land) the effect will be racial segregation. When my company wants to supply goods and services to a government linked corporation (in some industries) I will be prohibited unless I have ‘x’ % shareholders of their chosen race or my company must have employed ‘x’ number of a race. This could go on for a bit… in short I just feel ‘practices’ is much too weak but I myself dont think its apartheid as per SA. I used it merely to show a the range of opinion.